Synchronization isolation method for multiple types of cells from mouse liver / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To explore a simple and feasible method for the isolation and purification of hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells (HSC), and lymphocytes from mice. Methods: The cell suspension was obtained from male C57bl/6 mice by hepatic perfusion through the portal vein digestion method and then isolated and purified by discontinuous Percoll gradient centrifugation. Trypan blue exclusion was used to determine cell viability. Glycogen staining, cytokeratin 18, and transmission electron microscopy were used to identify hepatic cells. Immunofluorescence was used to detect α-smooth muscle actin combined with desmin in HSCs. Flow cytometry was used to analyze lymphocyte subsets in the liver. Results: After isolation and purification, about 2.7×10(7) hepatocytes, 5.7×10(5) HSCS, and 4.6×106 hepatic mononuclear cells were obtained from the liver of mice with a body weight of about 22g. The cell survival rate in each group was > 95%. Hepatocytes were apparent in glycogen deposited purple-red granules and cytokeratin 18. Electron microscopy showed that there were abundant organelles in hepatocytes and tight junctions between cells. HSC had expressed α-smooth muscle actin and desmin. Flow cytometry showed hepatic mononuclear cells, including lymphocyte subsets such as CD4, CD8, NKs, and NKTs. Conclusion: The hepatic perfusion through the portal vein digestion method can isolate multiple primary cells from the liver of mice at once and has the features of simplicity and efficiency.

Primary cell culture and morphological observation of bulbar conjunctival fibroblasts in conjunctivochalasis / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To observe the growth status and morphological changes of primary cultured bulbar conjunctival fibroblasts in different stages of conjunctivochalasis(CCH), and to determine the best passage time, so as to obtain stable and consistent CCH bulbar conjunctival fibroblasts.METHODS: CCH primary bulbar conjunctival fibroblasts were obtained by tissue block adhesion method. The fibroblasts were purified by trypsin differential digestion method. The growth status and morphological changes of fibroblasts in different periods were observed and recorded under inverted microscope. The fibroblasts were identified by immunofluorescence cytochemical staining.RESULTS: After 24h of CCH conjunctival tissue adherent to the wall, a small number of cells would be seen crawling out around the tissue blocks. The logarithmic phase of cell growth was from the 2-7d. The cells grew fast, with vigorously proliferation, clear outline, uniform distribution, increas in numbers and clear nuclei. From the 9-15d, the cell growth entered the plateau stage, the tissue blocks gradually aged and lost activity. The cells grew slowly, arranged loosely, the volume became larger, the shape became flat, and a large number of granular substances and vesicles were produced in the cytoplasm. Some cells fell off from the bottom of the culture bottle, and large gaps appeared between the cells. After subculture and purification, the size and morphology of fibroblasts were basically the same. Through cell identification, fibroblasts were long spindle, flat star or multi-process spindle, wide in the middle, oval nucleus, relatively small at both ends, with 2-3 slender processes of different lengths extending outward.CONCLUSION: Primary CCH bulbar conjunctival fibroblasts can be successfully obtained by tissue block adhesion method. When the cells grow to the 8d, they can be digested and passaged to obtain stable and consistent CCH conjunctival fibroblasts.

Establishment of rabbit dry eye cells model and evaluation of its biological characteristics / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To further explore effective drugs for dry eye treatment by isolating and culturing lacrimal gland epithelial cells<i> in vitro</i>, establishing a dry eye cell model and analyzing relevant inflammatory factors. <p>METHODS: Rabbit lacrimal gland epithelial cells were <i>in vitro</i> isolated and cultured, and the activity and purity of primary cells were identified by cell proliferation experiment and immunofluorescence experiment. In addition, 0.5 times IC₅₀ of lipopolysaccharide LPS and TNF-α were used respectively to stimulate rabbit lacrimal gland epithelial cells and then establish two dry eye cell models. Finally, through cell proliferation experiment, ELISA and flow cytometry, the biological characteristics of these two dry eye cell models were compared. <p>RESULTS:After 12h of culture, the primary cells of lacrimal gland epithelial cells basically adhered to the wall of culture bottles; and 48h later, the cells stretched and almost each of them presented a shape of a long triangle. The activity of primary cells of lacrimal gland epithelium was 92%, and the positive rate of marker Pan-rkeratin was more than 90%, which accorded with the experimental requirements. The IC₅₀ of LPS and TNF-α are 20μg/mL and 4.996ng/mL respectively. After 12h of intervention with LPS(10μg/mL)and TNF-α(2.5ng/mL), the cell activity of the two groups was significantly lower than that of control group(<i>P</i><0.01); compared between these two groups, the apoptosis rate of TNF-α group is higher than that of LPS group(<i>P</i><0.01). The levers of IL-1β and IL-6 in the cell supernatants of the two groups were significantly higher than those of the control group(<i>P</i><0.01); compared between the two groups, IL-1β and IL-6 in TNF-α group were significantly higher than those in LPS group(<i>P</i><0.01). It was suggested that TNF-α was superior to LPS in simulating inflammatory response of dry eye. <p>CONCLUSION: This study successfully established a relatively simple and rapid rabbit dry eye cell model with high cell purity and stability, which provided a more stable <i>in vitro</i> experimental model for the basic research on the function of rabbit lacrimal gland epithelial cells and dry eye.

Inhibition of Brazilian ZIKV strain replication in primary human placental chorionic cells and cervical cells treated with nitazoxanide

ABSTRACT Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy is associated with a congenital syndrome. Although the virus can be detected in human placental tissue and sexual transmission has been verified, it is not clear how the virus reaches the fetus. Despite the emerging severity caused by ZIKV infection, no specific prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment is available. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness antiviral of nitazoxanide (NTZ) in two important congenital transmission targets: (i) a primary culture of human placental chorionic cells, and (ii) human cervical epithelial cells (C33-A) infected with Brazilian ZIKV strain. Initially, NTZ activity was screened in ZIKV infected Vero cells under different treatment regimens with non-toxic drug concentrations for 48 h. Antiviral effect was found only when the treatment was carried out after the viral inoculum. A strong effect against the dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) was also observed suggesting the possibility of treating other Flaviviruses. Additionally, it was shown that the treatment did not reduce the production of infectious viruses in insect cells (C6/36) infected with ZIKV, indicating that the activity of this drug is also related to host factors. Importantly, we demonstrated that NTZ treatment in chorionic and cervical cells caused a reduction of infected cells in a dose-dependent manner and decreased viral loads in up to 2 logs. Pre-clinical in vitro testing evidenced excellent therapeutic response of infected chorionic and cervical cells and point to future NTZ activity investigation in ZIKV congenital transmission models with the perspective of possible repurposing of NTZ to treat Zika fever, especially in pregnant women.

Characteristic comparison of mouse primary macrophages cultured in L929 cell conditioned medium / 生物工程学报

The purpose of this study is to provide a culture for mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) and peritoneal macrophages (PM) and to characterize their molecular and cellular biology. The cell number and purity from the primary culture were assessed by cell counter and flow cytometry, respectively. Morphological features were evaluated by inverted microscope. Phagocytosis by macrophages was detected by the neutral red dye uptake assay. Phenotypic markers were analyzed by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. Our results show that the cell number was much higher from culture of BMDM than PM, while there was no significant difference regarding the percentage of F4/80+CD11b+ cells (98.30%±0.53% vs. 94.83%±1.42%; P>0.05). The proliferation rate of BMDM was significantly higher than PM in the presence of L929 cell conditioned medium, by using CCK-8 assay. However, PM appeared to adhere to the flask wall and extend earlier than BMDM. The phagocytosis capability of un-stimulated BMDM was significantly higher than PM, as well as lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BMDM, except the BMDM stimulated by low dose LPS (0.1 μg/mL). Furthermore, Tnfα expression was significantly higher in un-stimulated BMDM than PM, while Arg1 and Ym1 mRNA expression were significantly lower than PM. The expression difference was persistent if stimulated by LPS+IFN-γ or IL-4. Our data indicate that bone marrow can get larger amounts of macrophages than peritoneal cavity. However, it should be aware that the molecular and cellular characteristics were different between these two culture systems.

Uterine Fibroid: Isolation, Culture and Characterization

Present study was carried out to establish uterine fibroid primary culturesystem for screening of natural/synthetic compounds against uterine fibroid. For invitro culture, enzymatic isolation method was used. To characterize, histochemistry (H& E, Masson’s Trichrome and Periodic Acid Schiff) staining and immunocytochemistryusing marker antibodies (Versican) were performed in vitro. Uterine fibroid tissueshowed much intense staining of Masson’s Trichrome and Periodic Acid Schiff stain ascompared to adjacent myometrium tissue. The primary cultured cells showedsignificantly higher proliferation, sub-culture efficiency and expression of Versicanprotein. In conclusion, our results suggest that in vitro cultured uterine fibroid cells mayoffer a suitable alternative model to evaluate natural or synthetic compounds havingantitumor properties for uterine fibroid treatment.

Efeitos da exposição à fumaça do cigarro e suas implicações na neuroinflamação / Effects of exposure to cigarette smoke and its implications on neuroinflammation

O Sistema Nervoso Central (SNC) humano é formado por cerca de 86,1 bilhões de neurônios entre o encéfalo e a medula espinhal. O desenvolvimento pré-natal humano (tempo da concepção ao nascimento) possui cerca de 38 semanas, e é dividido na fase embrionária que corresponde ao período das 8 semanas iniciais da gestação, seguido pela fase fetal. A fase embrionária é o período mais vulnerável à ocorrência de anormalidades congênitas. Por ser um órgão com grande período de desenvolvimento, o SNC está sujeito às alterações genéticas, epigenéticas e ambientais. Durante a fase de implantação do embrião, o DNA é mais vulnerável às influências externas, como à fumaça do cigarro, aumentando o risco de retardo do desenvolvimento fetal, o risco de morte súbita pós-natal e de anormalidades do sistema imune. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar os efeitos da exposição à fumaça do cigarro sobre o processo de neuroinflamação da prole de camundongos C57BL/6 expostos à fumaça do cigarro durante a gestação e desafiados ou não com LPS. Para tanto, camundongos C57BL/6 fêmeas prenhes foram expostas à fumaça do cigarro desde o plug vaginal até o nascimento da prole. No 3º dia de vida, os filhotes foram separados para três linhas de trabalho: 1) in vivo: os animais foram desafiados com LPS pelo período de 4h, seguidos de eutanasia e análises de PCR Array do SNC. 2) in vitro: os encéfalos dissecados foram utilizados para a preparação de cultura mista de glia e da cultura enriquecida com neurônio. Após a maturação celular, as células foram estimuladas com LPS 100 ng/mL e, após 24h, foram realizados ensaios de CBA, citometria de fluxo, PCR, dosagem de NO, avaliação de morte celular e metilação global. 3) Encefalomielite Autoimune Experimental (EAE): após o desmame, os animais foram mantidos em suas caixas moradia por 8 semanas sem nenhum estímulo externo, e então foram imunizados com MOG35-55 para o desenvolvimento da EAE. Nos experimentos in vivo observamos o aumento da transcrição de genes relacionados ao processo inflamatório, como interleucinas e quimiocinas. Em relação aos experimentos in vitro observamos maior crescimento de células astrocitárias (astrogliose), e células da microglia com aumento de moléculas co-estimuladoras (CD80 e CD86) bem como da transcrição e concentração de citocinas pró-inflamatórias e produção de NO. Em cultura enriquecida de neurônio, foi observado aumento na porcentagem de células em apoptose no grupo exposto à fumaça do cigarro desafiados ou não com LPS. O bloqueio da atividade da microglia pela minociclina reverteu a apoptose e diminuiu a produção de NO minimizando a morte celular. Em relação aos experimentos de EAE, os animais expostos à fumaça do cigarro no período gestacional, quando imunizados na vida adulta apresentam aumento no grau da doença bem como maior persistência da mesma quando observado escore clínico, além de acompanhados de um grau maior de infiltrado celular e desmielinização. Desta forma podemos concluir que a exposição à fumaça do cigarro durante o período gestacional leva a uma programação fetal com aumento da resposta neuroinflamatória frente a um estimulo sistêmico, trazendo consequências na vida adulta

The human central nervous system (CNS) is made up of about 86.1 billion neurons between the brain and the spinal cord. The human prenatal development (time from conception to birth) is about 38 weeks, and is divided into the embryonic phase that corresponds to the period of the initial 8 weeks of gestation, followed by the fetal phase. The embryonic stage is the period most vulnerable to the occurrence of congenital abnormalities. Because it is an organ with a long period of development, the CNS is subject to genetic, epigenetic and environmental changes. During the embryo implantation phase, DNA is more vulnerable to external influences such as cigarette smoke, increasing the risk of delay on fetal development, risk of sudden postnatal death, and abnormalities of the immune system. In this context, the aim of this work is to evaluate the effects of exposure to cigarette smoke on the neuroinflammation process of offspring of C57BL/6 mice exposed to cigarette smoke during gestation and challenged or not with LPS. For this, pregnant female C57BL/6 mice were exposed to cigarette smoke from vaginal plug to offspring birth. On the 3rd day of life the offspring were separated into three lines of work: 1) in vivo: the animals were challenged with 1mg/Kg LPS and after 4h they followed to euthanasia; PCR analysis of the CNS was made in this period. 2) in vitro: dissected encephalons were used for the preparation of mixed culture of glia and the culture enriched with neuron. After cell maturation, the cells were stimulated with 100 ng/mL LPS and, after 24 hours, CBA, flow cytometry, PCR, NO assay, cell death and global methylation assays were performed. 3) Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE): After weaning, the animals were kept in their housing for 8 weeks without any external stimulus, and then were immunized with MOG35-55 for the development of EAE. In the in vivo experiments we observed increased transcription of genes related to the inflammatory process, such as interleukins and chemokines. In vitro experiments showed higher growth of astrocytes (astrogliosis) and microglia cells with increased stimulatory molecules (CD80 and CD86) as well as the transcription and concentration of proinflammatory cytokines and NO production. In the enriched neuron culture, an increase in the percentage of cells in apoptosis was observed in the group exposed to cigarette smoke challenged or not with LPS. Blocking microglial activity by minocycline reversed apoptosis and decreased NO production by minimizing cell death. The EAE experiments shows that the animals exposed to cigarette smoke in the gestational period, when immunized in adulthood, present an increase in the degree of the disease as well as a greater persistence of the disease; The higher as the clinical score higher is the degree of cellular infiltration and demyelination. In this way we can conclude that the exposure to cigarette smoke during the gestational period leads to a fetal programming with increased neuroinflammatory response to a systemic stimulus and that this is able to last until the adult stage

Primary culture of neurons under low density conditions by immunomagnetic beads method combined with conditioned medium / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE To establish a primary culture of neurons under low density conditions by immunomagnetic beads (1MB) based cell separation technology combined with astrocyte conditioned medium (A-CM). METHODS The cerebral hemispheres of neonatal KM mice within 24 h of birth were mechanically isolated and trypsin digested to prepare cell suspension for primary culture. After 10 d of culture, the microglia and other irrelevant cells were removed by constant temperature oscillation, while the purity of astrocytes was identified by immunofluorescence staining with anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) antibody. A-CM was prepared using cell cultures that met purity requirements. The cerebral cortex and hippocampus of neonatal KM mice within 24 h of birth were mechanically isolated and trypsin digested to prepare cell suspension. High-purity neurons were obtained by immunomagnetic beads based cell separation technology, and A-CM was applied to primary culture of neurons under low density conditions. Morphological parameters of neurons during culture were observed, and neurons were identified by immunofluorescence staining with anti-160 ku neurofilament antibody. RESULTS The purity of astrocytes was over 95% by cellular immunofluorescence staining identification, which met the cell purity requirements of subsequent experiments. Morphological observation and cellular immunofluorescence staining of the mouse cortex and hippocampal neurons showed that the neurons grew well under low density culture conditions with high purity, and the morphological characteristics were distinct at different developmental stages. CONCLUSION The primary culture of the mouse cerebral cortex and hippocampal neurons under low density conditions is successfully established.

A new method for primary culture of mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective: To establish a simple method for primary culture of mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons of high purity. Methods: The dorsal root ganglions from healthy C57BL/6 mice of 6-8 weeks were taken to obtain dorsal root ganglion neurons by using type collagenase and trypsin digestion. Identification and purification were evaluated by neuron specific enolase (NSE) monoclonal antibody immunocytochemistry staining. Results: The cultured primary neurons grew well and the purity could reach about 90%. The survival time was 60 days when cultured with the DMEM medium containing nerve growth factor (NGF). Conclusion: The culture program is simple and stable, and can cultivate a large number of high-purity neurons, which provides a reliable model for in-depth study of neurons.

Effects of Hypoxia on the Growth and Development of the Fetal Ovine Hepatocytes in Primary Culture / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the development and characterizations of the hepatocytes isolated from fetal ovine and to determine the effect of hypoxia on their growth and metabolism.@*METHODS@#Fresh hepatocytes were isolated from the liver of fetal ovine at late gestation, cultured in specific media, and exposed to normoxia (21% O2) or hypoxia (2% O2). The cellular characteristics and population purity were identified by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry (FCM). The effects of hypoxia on cell cycle and apoptosis of the hepatocytes were evaluated by FCM, whereas the cellular ultrastructure changes were examined with a transmission electron microscope.@*RESULTS@#The cell purity of hepatocytes was over 95%. Under hypoxia exposure, the hepatocytes showed a gradual increase in proportion at the S phase and in proliferative index, followed with a compatible increase in apoptosis and progressively decreased cell viability. Additionally, the organelles of the hepatocytes demonstrated dramatic changes, including swelling of mitochondria, disorder in cristae arrangement, expansion of endoplasmic reticulum, and a large number of circular lipid droplets emerging in the cytoplasm.@*CONCLUSION@#Fetal ovine hepatocytes could be primarily cultured in a short-term culture system with a high purity of over 95% and with their preserved original characteristics. Hypoxia could induce changes in ultrastructural and inhibit the proliferation of cultured fetal ovine hepatocytes through apoptotic mechanisms.

Culture and identification of tumor stem cells from surgically resected colorectal cancer tissues / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To obtain cancer stem cells (CSCs) from surgically resected colorectal cancer specimens and identify their stem cell characteristics.@*METHODS@#Colorectal cancer tissue specimen obtained from a patient undergoing radical resection of colorectal cancer were implanted in nude mice, and the xenograft was harvested 1 month later to obtain purified tumor cells by enzyme digestion and adherent culture. The CSCs were screened by limiting dilution method and serum-free culture to identify their phenotypes. Soft agar colony assay was used to assess the proliferative ability of the CSCs and human colorectal cancer cell line SW480. The tumorigenic ability of the isolated CSCs and SW480 cells was evaluated by observing their subcutaneous tumor formation in nude mice. Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay were used to detect the immunophenotype of the CSCs and SW480 cells.@*RESULTS@#The primary cultured CSCs from clinical specimens of colorectal cancer underwent differentiation in the presence of serum in the culture. Soft agar colony formation assay showed that the CSCs had a colony formation rate above 50%, significantly higher than the rate of colorectal cancer SW480 cells (4.41%; < 0.01). In nude mice, subcutaneous injection of 500 CSCs was sufficient to result in subcutaneous tumor formation, while the injection of 500 SW480 cells failed to form any subcutaneous tumors. The CSCs expressed CD133 and CD44 but not CK7, while SW480 cells expressed CK7 but not CD133 or CD44.@*CONCLUSIONS@#CSCs can be derived by primary culture of cancer cells obtained from surgically resected colorectal cancer tissue followed by serum-free culture, and the CSCs obtained have self-renewal and differentiation abilities.

Biological features of tumor associated fibroblasts and effect of Transwell co-culture on proliferation and metastasis of gastric cancer cells / 中国药理学通报

; Aim To culture primary human gastric cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and normal fibroblasts (NFs), and to explore the biological characteristics and their effects on gastric cancer cells. Methods After isolation and culture of CAFs and NFs, growth curve was drawn by MTT. The a-smooth muscle actin (ot-SMA) and Vimentin were detected by Immunofluorescence, Western blot and qRT-PCR. MGC-803 cells were co-cultured with CAFs and NFs in Transwell suspension mode. The migration and invasion ability of gastric cancer cells was detected by Transwell. The proliferation activity and AMD3100 on CAFs-gastric cancer co-culture system were compared by MTT. The acidic property, lactic acid and ROS contents of co-culture system were determined by PH meter, lactic acid and DCFH-DA method. Results The morphology of CAFs, NFs cells were in long spindle or flat star shape. The proliferation ability and overlapping growth phenomenon of CAFs were higher than those of NFs. The expression of ct-SMA and Vimentin cells was positive in CAFs, but low or negative in NFs cells. The activity of gastric cancer in low density co-culture group > medium density group > high density group, the PH value of CAFs co-culture system decreased, the content of lactic acid and ROS was high, and only CAFs low density co-culture group had significant effect on promoting cancer. Conclusions The co-culture of gastric cancer cells with CAFs and NFs is greatly affected by the proportion. Low density co-culture can significantly improve the proliferation and metastasis ability of gastric cancer cells. High density co-culture may in turn inhibit the growth and metastasis of cancer cells, which may be related to the content of lactic acid and ROS.

Primary culture and identification of cells from human aldosterone-producing adenoma / 基础医学与临床

Objective To establish the primary culture of aldosterone-producing adenoma cells. Methods The tumor tissue was digested by collagen type I and cultured in complete DMEM/F12 medium. Aldosterone concentra-tion in culture medium was detected by radioimmunoassay. The expression of aldosterone synthase in the culture cells was detected by immunofluorescence. Results Aldosterone-producing adenoma cells grew adherently in a round or approximately round shape. The cells were positively immunostained for aldosterone synthase. The aldoste-rone concentration in the culture medium at the 5th culture day was (30.0±8.9)nmol/L. During the primary cul-ture,aldosterone secretion was the strongest at the first day,and decreased afterwards. It kept stable from day 4 to 11. Conclusions We successfully established the primary culture of aldosterone-producing adenoma cells, which are important for the future studying on the mechanism and function of aldosterone-producing adenoma.

Primary culture of hPDSCs with modified enzymatic digestion-explants method / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@#To explore methods using modified tissue enzymatic separations for culturing primary hDPSCs in vitro and further identify the cells produced. @*Methods @#Primary hDPSCs were cultured using the modified tissue enzymatic separation method, and cells were identified by morphology, cell surface markers, and differentiation potential and evaluated using flow cytometry and growth curves.@*Results @#The hDPSCs were successfully isolated using the modified tissue enzymatic separation method. The morphology of these cells was similar to that of fibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells, and the growth curve was "S" -type. The results of cell phenotype analysis indicated that the cells were positive for surface markers of mesenchymal stem cells, including CD29, CD44, and CD90, and negative for markers of hematopoietic stem cells, including CD34, CD45, and CD106. The cells were capable of differentiating into multiple cell types.@*Conclusion @# The modified tissue enzymatic separation method can successful be used to culture primary hDPSCs in vitro.

An improved method for stem cell derivation from human great saphenous vein / 生物工程学报

The objectiue was to explore how to improve stem cell derivation from human great saphenous vein. After the saphenous vein was cut into small pieces, the cells of the vessel wall were obtained by tissue adherent method and digestion with type Ⅱ collagenase. The morphological changes of blood vessel wall were observed under inverted microscope. The survival of vascular wall cells was assessed by trypan blue staining. Stem cells doubly positive for CD34 and CD117 were sorted out by immunofluorescent staining and flow cytometry. The cells obtained by tissue adherence method exhibited signs of fibrotic changes and aging at the third passage (P3), while the cells extracted by enzymatic digestion still showed colony-like growth. Survival rates of these two groups of cells were (91.7±1.2)% and (97.2±0.7)%, (P=0.005). The results of flow cytometry showed that the positive rates of CD34 and CD117 double positive cells in these two groups were (0.16± 0.05)% and (0.44±0.07)%, respectively, with statistical significance (P=0.005). Immunofluorescent staining showed that the positive rates of double positive stem cells in the two groups were (89.41±2.06)% and (94.03±1.83)%, P<0.05 one week after the sorted stem cells were cultured. The positive rates of CD31, VEGF2 and SMA in the stem cells determined by flow cytometry were (0.12±0.01)%, (0.19±0.02)% and (0.45±0.01)%, respectively, which were not statistically different from those of the control groups. This could rule out substantial inclusion of mature endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells. Tube forming experiment confirmed that these vascular stem cells had developmental plasticity. More viable and morphologically healthy vascular stem cells can be derived by enzymatic digestion. These cells can be widely used in clinical and basic research.

Isolation, identification and cultivation of primary rat hepatic stellate cells / 局解手术学杂志

Objeetive To improve the method for the isolation and purification of rat hepatic stellate(HSC) cells and to provide a stable cell source for the research on liver-related diseases.Methods Rat liver was digested in situ by a two-step infusion assay under a strict control of the infusion temperature,flow rate and time with a combined utilization of Pronase E and Collagenase Ⅳ.And then,the HSC cells were separated by Percoll density gradient centrifugation.The cell growth curve and survival rate were measured by CCK-8 and trypan blue staining,respectively.The HSC cells were identified by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence cytochemistry.Results With the improved methods,there were (2.1 ± 0.2) × 107 HSC cells isolated from one rat and the survival rate was (96.2 ± 0.8) ％.The percentage of HSC cells with a spontaneous fluorescent characteristic from the isolated cells was 96.3％.The immunofluorescence cytochemistry was used to detect the expressions of the surface antigens α-SMA and Desmin in the isolated HSC cells.Conclusion By strict control of infusion temperature,flow rate and perfusion time as well as the combined application of Pronase E and Collagenase Ⅳ,there is an increased harvest of HSC cells with improved cell viability and purity,which is helpful for further research on HSC cells.

Protective effect and mechanism of serum containing Euonymus fortunei on rat pancreatic islet cells / 器官移植

Objective To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of serum containing Euonymus fortunei on the rat pancreatic islet cells. Methods Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=8 in each group), including the control group (normal rat islet cells were cultured with normal rat serum), ischemic preconditioning group (abdominal aorta was blocked first and then re-opened before the pancreas was obtained, and the pancreatic islet cells were cultured with normal rat serum), Euonymus fortunei treatment group (normal rat islet cells were cultured with rat serum containing Euonymus fortunei), Euonymus fortunei group and blank group (normal rats were administered orally with Euonymus fortunei extract or distilled water for the preparation of rat serum). Diphenylthiocarbazone (DTZ) staining was utilized to observe and calculate the quantity of islets. Acridine orange (AO)/propidium iodide (PI) staining was adopted to calculate the survival rate of islet cells. The insulin release experiment was performed to calculate the stimulation index (SI) and evaluate islet cell function. The concentration of glutathione (GSH) and nitric oxide (NO) in islet cells was detected using GSH and NO kits. The expression level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) messenger RNA (mRNA) was quantitatively measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results Islet cells were observed in specifically scarlet color after DTZ staining. The quantity of islet cells did not significantly differ among different groups (all P>0.05). Along with the prolongation of culture time, the activity of islet cells in each group was gradually decreased. At 72 h after isolation and culture, compared with the control group, the survival rate of the cells was significantly higher in the Euonymus fortunei treatment group (P<0.05). The insulin release test results demonstrated that compared with the control group, the SI of the ischemic preconditioning and Euonymus fortunei treatment groups was significantly increased (both P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the GSH contents of pancreatic islet cells in the ischemic preconditioning and Euonymus fortunei treatment groups were considerably enhanced, the NO content was significantly decreased, and the expression level of iNOS mRNA was significantly down-regulated (all P<0.05). Conclusions Euonymus fortunei can increase the survival rate of islet cells and enhance the function of pancreatic islets by increasing the level of GSH, down-regulating the expression of iNOS and decreasing the NO production.

Primary cultures of mouse small intestinal epithelial cells using the dissociating enzyme type I collagenase and hyaluronidase

The epithelium is a highly dynamic system, which plays a crucial role in the homeostasis of the intestinal tract. However, studies on the physiological and pathophysiological functions of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) have been hampered due to lack of normal epithelial cell models. In the present study, we established a reproducible method for primary culture of mouse IECs, which were isolated from the viable small intestinal crypts of murine fetuses (on embryonic day 19), using type I collagenase and hyaluronidase in a short span of time (≤20 min). With this method, continuously growing mouse IECs, which can be subcultured over a number of passages, were obtained. The obtained cell lines formed a tight cobblestone-like arrangement, displayed long and slender microvilli, expressed characteristic markers (cytokeratin 18 and Notch-1), and generated increasing transepithelial electrical resistance and low paracellular permeability during in vitro culture. The cells also had enzymatic activities of alkaline phosphatase and sucrase-isomaltase, and secreted various cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1), responding to the stimulation of Escherichia coli. These results show that the primary-cultured mouse IECs obtained by the method established here had the morphological and immunological characteristics of IECs. This culture system can be a beneficial in vitro model for studies on mucosal immunology and toxicology.

Protection of SAM on KCl-injured primary cultured neurons via reducing Cav-1 expression / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the protective effects of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)on KCl-stimulated pri-mary cultured neurons and the potential mechanism. Methods The primary cultured cortical neurons were randomly divided into three groups:normal (Con) group,KCl group and SAM-KCl group. The changes of cell morphology were observed by microscope,and the mRNA and protein expression levels of caveolin-1 (Cav-1)in each group were detected by qPCR and Western blot. Results After treated with 0. 05 mol· L - 1 KCl for 12 hours,the primary cultured neurons showed morphological injury,shortening of neurites, reduction of soma mass and accumulation of cells. While neurons pretreated with 0. 02 mol·L-1 SAM for 6 hours could significantly reduce the damage induced by KCl. qPCR and Western blot analysis showed that SAM could reduce the neurons expression of Cav-1 mRNA and protein that induced by KCl. Conclusion SAM can protect neurons from the damage induced by KCl,and Cav-1 plays a critical role in this process.

Culture and characterization of human pseudomyxoma peritonei cells / 基础医学与临床

Objective Culture,expansion and characterization of pseudomyxoma peritonei cells to support foundation for the study of pseudomyxoma peritonei and drug screening.Methods Tumors from 5 cases of human pseudomyxoma peritonei were cultured by collagenase digestion.The cultured cells were then identified as tumor cells by chromosome karyotyping.The secretion of neutral mucopolysaccharide was detected by PAS staining.To simulate the tumor growth condition in vivo,3D culture was applied and the morphology of the cultured organoid was observed with HE staining,xenografts were used to test the tumorigenicity of PMP primary cells.Results The primary culture of pseudomyxoma peritonei cells was successful in all of the 5 cases.2D cultured cells were adherent,polygonal pebble-like arranged,and passed on up to 18 generations.Chromosome karyotype analysis showed that most of the cells were subdiploid karyotype tumor cells.Positive PAS staining suggests that these cells secrete mucus.The morphology of 3D cultured organoid was similar to that of tumor tissues.The tumor formation rate of xenografts was low,and the tumoris not similar to patient's PMP.Conclusions Pseudomyxoma peritonei tumor cells can be cultured and expanded in vitro.